President John Mahama has directed the Ghana Armed Forces to escort vehicles in and around Bawku. The order covers the Bawku–Pulmakom–Bolgatanga and Walewale–Bolgatanga roads.

He said this is to ensure the safe movement of people and goods. The move is part of efforts to restore calm in the conflict-hit area.

The President announced his Thank You tour in the North East Region on Friday, June 13.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I have instructed the Armed Forces to provide armed escort and protection to all vehicles travelling within the Bawku area, along the Bawku-Pulmakom-Bolgatanga Corridor, and also along the Walewale-Bolgatanga Corridor,” he said.

He added that food trucks, which were stuck due to insecurity, have now arrived safely.

The President also spoke about ongoing mediation. He acknowledged the efforts of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Nayiri, King of Mamprugu.

“I was last week with His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and he briefed me on the progress being made to achieve a lasting peace in Bawku. I want to thank my father, the Nayiri, for the important roadmap to peace that he presented for consideration by the Otumfuo,” he said.

“I’m sure the traditional solutions we are seeking to the Bawku crisis will offer us the opportunity for a sustainable peace very soon.”

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has extended the deadline for this year’s SHS selection. The new date is Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

The extension gives 2025 BECE candidates more time. This follows the addition of private Senior High Schools to the selection list.

GES says a supplementary register has been added. It contains the names of the new private senior high schools to guide students.

All Regional Directors have been directed to spread the message. They must inform Metro, Municipal, and District Directors. Heads of schools must also tell final-year students.

“This extension has become necessary due to the inclusion of private Senior High Schools in the selection process, allowing candidates additional time to make well-informed choices,” the GES statement said.

Candidates have been urged to seek advice. They should consult with teachers, parents, and guardians before making their choices.

Apart from the new schools, GES states that all other rules and processes remain unchanged.

Seven students from Lawra Senior High School are missing and feared dead. Their boat capsized on the Black Volta River at Dikpe while trying to cross into Burkina Faso.

The incident happened during a morning jogging session. Ten students had gone out to exercise. However, reports indicate that they suddenly decided to cross into Burkina Faso.

Their boat overturned midway. All ten students were thrown into the river.

Three of them were rescued. The other seven are still missing.

Search efforts are ongoing. Divers and rescue teams are combing the river.

Strong currents in the Black Volta are making the search harder. There are fears the missing students may have drowned.

President John Dramani Mahama says over 10,000 hectares of irrigated farmland will be developed in Nasia, Tumu, and Gbullung. The move is part of efforts to grow agriculture and create jobs in Northern Ghana.

He made the announcement on Friday, June 13, 2025, during a visit by the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abubakari II, at the Jubilee House.

The President said the project is part of the Northern Savannah Economic Transformation Programme. It will focus on rice, maize, and soya bean production.

“This project will create employment for over 8,000 young farmers and help turn the northern region into a strong agro-industrial zone,” he stated.

He added that Yendi, Savelugu, and Karaga will serve as agribusiness processing centres. He also revealed plans to expand the shea and cashew sectors.

“These efforts will benefit thousands of rural women by offering them stable livelihoods based on traditional skills,” he added.

President Mahama also spoke about the National Apprenticeship Programme, which was launched in Tamale. It will offer training in carpentry, welding, tailoring, shea butter processing, and agribusiness.

He said the 2025 budget has already made room for the programme. It will be done in partnership with vocational schools and private companies.

“All of this fits into our larger 24-hour economy strategy, which will create more job opportunities and support growth in agro-processing logistics and community services,” the President concluded.

The Overlord of Dagbon, His Royal Majesty Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, has commended President John Mahama for his appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi.

Dr. Jacob Mahama delivered the message during a courtesy call on Friday, June 13. He said the stronger cedi would support household budgets and strengthen the national economy.

“The drastic drop in the dollar ratio from Gh₵17 to Gh₵11 in less than six months is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about your administration’s commitment to prudent economic management,” the chief told the president.

“This significant reduction is not merely a numbered game; it reflects a deliberate effort to stabilise the economy, boost confidence in the cedi, and create a favourable environment for investment and growth,” he added.

Data from the market shows the cedi trading around GH₵10.25 to the US dollar on the interbank market. This is the strongest level in several years. The mid-market rate stands at about $0.0986 to GH₵1.

In late 2024, the cedi had fallen to nearly GH₵16 per dollar. The recent gains show renewed investor confidence.

Observers see this recovery as one of the key economic wins under Mahama’s leadership.

A stronger cedi is expected to reduce the cost of imports, ease inflation, and support long-term growth.

Islamic Medical School in Northern Ghana to established. The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, states that the government plans to establish an Islamic Medical School in the Northern Region. The school will also serve as a teaching hospital for the University for Development Studies (UDS).

He made this known during a meeting with Qatar’s Ambassador to Ghana, Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Mesallam, in Accra. The meeting was part of efforts to strengthen education ties between Ghana and Qatar.

Mr. Iddrisu called for support from the Qatar Education Foundation. He requested friendly concessionary financing to assist in building the school. The goal, he explained, is to make medical education more accessible and provide healthcare in the north. He stated that the facility would also serve the members of the local Islamic community.

The minister emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in education. He proposed deeper institutional ties between the two countries’ education ministries. This, he said, would promote the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and investments.

He also announced a plan to review the Islamic curriculum in Ghana’s basic schools. Arabic, he noted, would be introduced from the kindergarten level. This initiative aims to promote early literacy in Arabic among Muslim children.

Mr. Iddrisu said Ghana was eager to participate in the upcoming global Education Conference in Geneva in September 2025. The event would be an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s progress in education on the world stage.

He thanked the ambassador for the visit and expressed hope to arrange a reciprocal visit to Qatar soon to discuss further educational projects.

Ambassador Al-Mesallam welcomed the proposals. He said Qatar was ready to explore opportunities for collaboration. He added that it was important for the two countries to strengthen ties through education.

The ambassador said he looked forward to hosting Ghanaian delegates at the Geneva conference and continuing discussions on joint education efforts.

President John Dramani Mahama is set to launch his nationwide “Thank You” tour with a grand rally in the Savannah Region on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.

The tour, designed to express appreciation for the overwhelming support during the 2024 general elections, will also offer the president an opportunity to reconnect with citizens, traditional authorities, and party faithful.

Saturday’s rally is expected to draw a large crowd from across the region, where President Mahama will deliver a message of gratitude and unity while highlighting the importance of inclusive development under his leadership.

The visit will further emphasise his administration’s commitment to flagship initiatives, such as the 24-hour economy programme, which is central to job creation and economic revitalisation efforts across the country.

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two individuals for District Chief Executive (DCE) roles in the Northern Region, subject to approval by their respective district assemblies.

The nominees are Mary Tagba for the Tatale Sanguli District and Haruna Abudu Karim for the Kpandai District. Their appointments were announced in a statement released on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and signed by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim.

The nominations are under Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by Act 940.

If confirmed, the two will be tasked with leading local development initiatives and representing government at the district level.